For fencers and martial artists, particularly those who use longer weapons.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Glossary of Modern Fencing Terms

If you need a basic glossary of modern fencing terms for yourself or your class, here it is! Feel free to reprint it, but please include the copyright info. (There's a downloadable PDF attached to the end of this post).

Bladework
Thrust –A forceful extension of the arm from en guarde to full extensionCut –The principal attack in Saber.
An attack with the edge of the swordParry –A “blocking” action against
an attackLateral
Parry –Blocking an attack by moving the blade from one line to the otherCircular
Parry –Blocking an attack by a circular blade actionBeat
parry –“Tapping” the blade out of the wayRiposte –A return thrust after a
parry. Every attack leave the attacker open, a riposte takes advantage of thatEngagement –When the blades meet. It
may be a feeling action, or a parry, or the start of a Pris du FerDisengage –To escape an engagement
by shifting your point to the other side of the opponent’s bladeCoupe –“Cutover” to escape an
engagement by cutting over the opponent’s bladeBeat –A versatile “tapping” action
against the oppt’s blade. It may be used as a parry, an attack or a feintFeint –A “False” action designed to
get the opponent to open his guardInvitation –To open your guard to
“invite an attack”Simple Attack –An attack using a
simple action in a single tempo of fencing timeCompound Attack –An attack made up
of several actions. These include the Doublé
and the One-TwoPreparation –The initial actions
of a compound attackStop-hit –To attack into the
opponent’s preparationRemise –To attempt to hit your opponent a second time without
withdrawing after failing the first time. A remise does not have Right of WayPris De Fer –“Taking of the blade.”
Any of several kinds of binding controlling actions that move the opponent’s blade.
Pris de Fer include the bind, croisé,
envelopment, thrust with opposition,
etc.

Concepts
Right of Way –A set of rules used
in Foil and Saber. The essence of ROW is that you may not attack an opponent at
the when he is attacking you, or leave yourself vulnerable while trying to hit
him. If your opponent attacks, you must parry or nullify that attack before
hitting back. Epee does not follow right of way. An attack without ROW may
occasionally be successful Tempo –The flexible unit of time
that fencing is measured in. A tempo is the time it takes to perform a single,
simple actionLines of Attack –Foil and Epee acknowledge
8 lines of attack, by dividing the torso into quarters, with two lines of
attack in each quarter, and two parries in each quarter.Sentiment De Fer –“Sensitivity for
the steel.” A sense of touch with the blade, sensing what the opponent is
planning Distance –Also called Fencing Measure. There is a particular
distance from your opponent at which you are best positioned to both attack and
defend. It is cultivated through practice. Additionally, some blade actions may
require slightly longer distances than others.Displacement –Moving the torso out
of the way of the attack. Usually a retreat, but can be to the side as well.

The Weapons
All weapons have a few parts in common: The Blade –The part you hit with.
Epee and Foil hit exclusively with the point, while saber allows you to cut
with the leading edge and upper part of the back edge. The Epee blade is
heavier and thicker.The Guard –The part that protects
the hand. The Epee guard is larger than the foil guard (both are round). The
Saber guard includes knuckle protection.The Handle –Also called the “grip.”
There are a few different types. Sabers use a straight handle. French foils also use a fairly straight
handle. “Orthopedic” handles are more common now for foil and epee, as they
give a better grip. There are different types, depending on personal preference.
The most common are Belgian, Russian,
German and Visconti.
Occasionally, you may see an Italian foil,
featuring a short handle and two rings, but they are no longer common.Pommel –The weight at the rear end
of the sword. It counterbalances the weapon, and also holds all the parts
together. Most orthopedic handles do not have a pommel, but a nut inside the
handle to hold it all together.

There Are Three Weapons Used in Modern Fencing:
The Foil –The most common fencing weapon. Used for thrusting attacks only.
Follows the rules of Right of Way. The
target is the torso (including groin). Originally a training weapon for the epee,
but developed into an art of its own.The Epee –“The Dueling Sword” Also
used only for thrusting attacks. No Right of Way is followed, and the entire
body is target. The blade has the same dimensions at those used for duels in
the 19th century. The Saber –Fashioned after the
cavalry cutting weapon, it allows attacks with the entire leading edge and
upper part of the back edge of the blade.
It follows the rules of right of way, and the target area is all of the
body above the waist, including arms and head.